Kecel

Infobox Settlement


image_caption = Aerial view
settlement_type =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = HUN
pushpin_

pushpin_map_caption = Location of Kecel
latd=46.533
longd=19.25
timezone=CET
utc_offset=+1
timezone_DST=CEST
utc_offset_DST=+2
official_name=Kecel
subdivision_type1=County
subdivision_name1=Bács-Kiskun
area_total_km2=114.48
population_as_of=2001
population_total=9259
population_density_km2=80.88
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code=6237
area_code=78

Kecel is a town in Bács-Kiskun county, in southern Hungary.

Croats in Hungary call this town "Kecelj" [hr icon [http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/11541 Folia onomastica croatica 14/2005.] Živko Mandić: Hrvatska imena naseljenih mjesta u Madžarskoj, pdf] .

History

The first documents mentioning Kecel date back to 1198. Like many other Hungarian towns, Kecel has lost its population during the Turkish Conquest. On April 22, 1734 Gábor Patachich, the bishop of Kalocsa issued papers reestablishing the town of Kecel. At the time, most people made their living by keeping domesticated animals. However, the rising population made this extremely hard, so people committed themselves to farming which still remains the main industry in Kecel. In 1802 a number of new buildings were built including: the Roman Catholic church, the Town Hall, the first school, post office, and the police and fire stations. The railroad also reached Kecel.

Demographics

As of the census of 2001, there were 9,259 people and 3,600 households.

References